Device for cleaning combs



Oct. 10, 1939. w, c, CRAWFORD I 2,175,986

DEVICE FOR CLEANING couss Filed Jan. 17, 1959 I.u lllpllllllllallllln"It;

1 MM 7 m v wcllllllllllllllll INVENTOR WaZzer C. Craa ford BY-v A ATT RNEY Patented Oct. 10, 1939 DEVICE FOR CLEANING COM'BS Walter 0. Crawford, Bogota, N. J., assignor of one-third to Oscar Olsen, and one-third to Anthony Pepe, both of Bogota, N. J.

Application January 17, 1939, Serial No. 251,389

10 Claims.

The present invention relates to a cleaning device, and it has particular relation to a comb cleaner which may be used for cleaning hair combs and also industrial combs to remove the particles of dirt that accumulate between the teeth thereof.

An object of the invention is to provide a small inexpensive, compact and easily manipulated hand operating implement or tool which is adapted to effectively remove hair, dirt, dandruff, lint, grease, etc., which accumulate upon and between the teeth of the comb, and which foreign particles are inaccessible to ordinary cleaning methods without an especially designed device of some description.

Another object of the invention is the provision of such a comb cleaning device which is simple of construction, light in weight, fiat and compact to facilitate carrying when traveling, and exceedingly durable.

A further object of the invention is to provide such a comb cleaning device whereby the cleaning element is operable through the teeth of the comb to be cleaned from opposite directions or sides, thereby eliminating the necessity of removing, turning and/or replacing the comb within the holder to complete the cleaning operation.

Another object of the invention is to provide a comb cleaning device of the character described "wherein the comb holder or the cleaning brush are readily adjustable and movable with respect to one another for facilitating the cleaning of different sizes and types of combs with the greatest efficiency and ease.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a relatively thin and fiat comb cleaning device of the character described which is adapted to be operated by being held between the hands of the operator, and which permits relative movement of the holder or brush or both by either or both hands of the operator during the cleaning operation at the convenience and comfort of the operator without requiring any change in the position of the hands.

Other and further objects and advantages of the invention reside in the detailed description of the apparatus, which result in simplicity, economy and efliciency, and which will be apparent from the following description, wherein several preferred forms of embodiment of the invention are shown, reference being had to the accompanying drawing, forming a part hereof, in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an apparatus constructed in accordance with the principles of the invention, the same containing a hair comb and illustrating the manner in which it is intended that the device be held between the hands Fig. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of the apparatus shown in Fig. 2, the same being taken substantially along the line 3-3 thereof;

Fig. 4 is another longitudinal sectional View of the apparatus shown in Fig. 2, the same being taken substantially along the line 44 thereof;

Fig. 5 is a transverse sectional View of the apparatus shown in Fig, 2, the same being taken substantially along the line 55 thereof;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary sectional view of one of the collar-like band members employed in slidably securing the secondary frame structure to the main frame structure;

Fig. 7 is a top plan view of a modified form of apparatus, wherein the brush holder is slidably mounted inlongitudinally extending slots in the main frame member, .and the secondary frame member is fixedly secured to the main frame member;

Fig. 8 is a longitudinal sectional view of the apparatus shown in Fig. 7, the same being taken substantially along the line 8--8 thereof.

Referring now to Figs. 1 to 6 of the drawing, wherein like numerals indicate like parts, there is shown a relatively thin flat main frame structure I0, which may be stamped or cutout of any noncorrosive and non-rusting metal sheeting, or made of wood, or molded of 'any suitable thermoplastic materials such as Bakelite, hard rubber or the like. The supporting main frame structure Vided intermediate its ends with a series of transversely extending grooves 20 and ribs 22 which are alternately arranged longitudinally thereof, said grooves 20 and ribs 22 appear also on the opposite surfaces of said arms I6, as best shown in Fig. 4, in a reversed arrangement, being the result of their formation through stamping.

A secondary smaller frame structure 26, which is intended to be superposed on the main frame structure It], is likewise of a U-shape construction, having a central longitudinally extendin aperture 28, a transversely extending base member 30 and a pair of transversely spaced longi tudinally projecting arms 32. The outer ends of each of the arms 32 have integrally formed therewith a collar-like band member 34, provided with an opening 36 adapted slidably to receive one of the projecting arms l5 of the main frame structure Ill. The opposite surfaces of the bottom 38 of the collar-like band member 34 is provided with a series of alternately arranged and longitudinally spaced grooves 40 and ribs 42, which are adapted to be enmeshed with the corresponding grooves 20 and ribs 22 on the projecting arms i6 of the main frame structure ID. The arms 32 are off-set upwardly, as indicated at 44, to provide a space or slot 45 for receiving a comb between the secondary frame structure 26 and the main frame structure l0 when the former is superposed on the latter. The outer edge of the base member 30 is curved slightly upwardly, as indicated at 41, to facilitate holding with the thumb, as best shown in Fig. 1.

A brush holder 48 carrying a series of fine bristles, preferably made of wire, is pivotally mounted on a shaft 52, which in turn is fixedly secured at opposite ends to the main frame structure l0 adjacent the outer ends of the projecting arms I6. In this manner the brush holder 48 is free to oscillate within the longitudinal opening or aperture [2 of the main frame structure It]. In the construction shown, the extreme outer ends 54 of the shaft 52 have been flattened, and are spot-welded or riveted, as indicated at 56, to the arms [6 of the main frame structure, but any other method of attaching the same may be satisfactorily employed.

In operating the apparatus shown in Figs. 1 to 6, a comb 60, having a plurality of alternate spaces GI and teeth 62, is positioned in the slot 46 between the two frame structures II] and 2E. The secondary frame structure 26 is then slidably positioned manually on the outer arms N3 of the main frame structure Ill so that the outer ends of the bristles 50 are adapted to pass through and touch the back ends of the spaces 6| between the teeth 62 thereof. Thumb pressure on the spaced free end 41 of the base member 30 clampingly secures the comb 60 between the two frame structures I0 and 26, and the series of grooves 40 and ribs 42 on the collar-like band members 34 are caused by the pressure exerted by the thumb on the end 42 to be urged and enmeshed with a corresponding number of alternately spaced corresponding grooves 20 and ribs 22 on the underside of the projecting arms l6, thereby releasably locking the twoframe structures together so long as such pressure is applied. The brush holder 48 is now ready to be oscillated about its pivotal supporting axis 52, thereby causing the bristles 50 to pass through the spaces El between the teeth 62 of the comb 60, removing the accumulated hair, dirt, dandruff, grease, lint, etc., therefrom. It will be apparent that the oscillating movement of the bristles 56, passing through the spaces 6| of the comb 60 first from one side and then the other alternately will effectively remove all particles of accumulated matter therefrom without requiring removal, turning over and replacement of the comb 69 in the apparatus.

In the modified form of apparatus shown in Figs. 7 and 8, wherein like numbers indicate corresponding parts, the main frame member 79, which is substantially of a U-shape construction, having a central longitudinal aperture $2, a transversely extending base member l4- and a pair of spaced longitudinally projecting arms 2'6 which extend outwardly and away from said base member. All of the edges of the main frame member it are bent downwardly, as indicated at T8, to provide a downwardly extending flange thereabout, making the member channel-shape in its construction, as best shown in Fig. 8. The outer ends of the projecting arms l5 are provided with two longitudinally spaced series Si) and S2 of transversely extending grooves 84 and ribs 86 alternately arranged longitudinally thereof, which grooves 84 and ribs 8'6 are formed on opposite surfaces of the arms 16 by stamping. The transverse base member 14 is apertured, as indicated at 88, to provide means for hanging up the apparatus when it is not actually being used.

The smaller secondary frame member 99, which is adapted to be superposed on the main frame member it, consists of a flat U-shaped plate having a longitudinally extending central aperture 92, a transversely extending base 94 and a pair of outwardly projecting longitudinally extending arms 96. The secondary frame member 9* is fixedly secured, by spot-wolding, riveting or other suitable means, as indicated at $8, to the main frame member Til at a point intermediate the ends of the outwardly projecting arms 16 thereof. The arms 96 of the secondary frame member 95] are off-set, as indicated at [00, to provide a space or slot H12 between the frame structures 70 and for receiving a comb therebetween. The outer edge of the base member 94 is curved slightly upwardly, as indicated at I64, to facilitate holding with the thumb and urging the same toward the main frame structure Hi to clampingly secure the comb therebetween. It is of course obvious that in this particular modification the two frame structures l8 and 9! could be integrally formed and cut from a single piece of sheeting without departing from the spirit of the invention or from the scope of the claims.

A brush holder H16, carrying a series of bristles N38, is pivotally mounted on a shaft H0, which has its outwardly projecting ends extending through slots H2 extending longitudinally of the inner side flanges 18 of the projecting arms 75. The outer ends of the shaft 550 are fixedly secured by spot-welding to a spring clip H6, which has its outer ends bent to provide ribs I I8 for engaging the grooves 84 on the underside of the projecting arms 16, as best shown in Fig. 8.

In the modified form of apparatus shown in Figs. 7 and 8, it will be apparent that the device, which is operable for cleaning a comb in substantially the same manner that described for the apparatus comprising Figs. 1 to 6, is provided with a fixed pair of frame structures 10 and Gil for clampingly holding the comb therein, and a movable brush member which is slidable on the main frame member. The bristles I08 of the brush member I06 are brought into operating juxtaposition with the comb being held between the frame structures 7E] and by moving the brush holder Hit on its shaft H0 along the slots '58 of the main frame structure '58, thereby causing relative movement between the brush holder and the comb being clampingly held between the fixed frame structures.

It is essential that the brush and the comb be relatively movable with respect to each other for the reason that the combs being sold today are of many different sizes, widths andthicknesses, and some means of adjustment must be provided for bringing the bristles of the brush holder into proper position with the spaces between the teeth of the comb to be cleaned in order to secure the greatest efficiencyin operation and a maximum removal of the accumulated particles therefrom. While I have shown only a very small and narrow device of a width considerably less than the comb being cleaned, necessitating trans verse shifting of the comb from time to time to completely clean all of the spaces between its teeth, it will be obvious that the same can be Imade of any size or width desired.

Although I have only described two forms which the invention may assume, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the invention is not so limited, but that various modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit thereof or from the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim is:

l. A comb cleaning device of the character described comprising a pair of aligned apertured sections interconnected to form a unit and interspaced to receive a comb with a portion of its teeth exposed within said aligned apertures, and a pivotally mounted brush holder carrying a series of bristles adapted to pass through the teeth of the comb when the holder is oscillated about its pivotal axis.

2. A comb cleaning device of the character described comprising a pair of aligned apertured sections slidably interconnected to form a unit and interspaced to receive a comb with a portion of its teeth exposed in said aligned apertures, and a pivotally mounted brush holder carrying a series of bristles adapted to pass through the teeth of the comb when'the holder is oscillated about its pivotal support.

3. A comb cleaning device of the character described comprising a pair of aligned apertured sections interconnected to form a unit and interspaced to receive a comb with a portion of its teeth exposed within said aligned apertures, and a slidably mounted pivotal brush holder carrying a series of bristles adapted to pass through the teeth of the comb when the holder is oscillated about its pivotal axis.

4. A comb cleaning device of the character described comprising a relatively large main apertured frame structure and a relatively small apertured frame structure interconnected adjacent one end to form a unit and interspaced at the opposite end to provide a slotted opening therebetween for receiving a comb with a portion of its teeth exposed within said aligned apertures of said frame structures, and a pivotally mounted brush holder carrying a series of bristles adapted to pass through the teeth of the comb when the holder is oscillated about its pivotal support, said small frame structure and said brush holder being movable relative to each other on said main frame structure.

5. A comb cleaning device of the character described comprising a main frame structure having a pair of outwardly extending arms, a second frame structure having a similar pair of outwardly extending arms, said frame structures being interconnected adjacent one end and interspaced adjacent the opposite end for providing an opening for receiving a comb therebetween with a portion of its teeth exposed between said aligned arms, and a brush holder adapted to be pivotally mounted on said main frame structure between said spaced arms carrying a series of bristles adapted to pass through the teeth of the combwhen the holder is oscillated about its pivotal support.

6. A comb cleaning device of the character described comprising a main frame structure having a pair of outwardly extending arms, a secondary frame structure having a similar pair of outwardly extending arms, said frame structures being slidably connected adjacent one end and interspaced adjacent the opposite end for providing an opening for receiving a comb therebetween with a portion of its teeth exposed between said aligned arms, and a brush holder adapted to be pivotally mounted on said main frame structure between said spaced arms carrying a series of bristles adapted to pass through the teeth of the comb when the holder is oscillated about its pivotal support.

'7. A comb cleaning device of the character described comprising a main frame structure having a pair of outwardly extending arms, a secondary frame structure having a similar pair of outwardly extending arms, said frame structures being interconnected adjacent one end and interspaced adjacent the opposite end for providing an opening for receiving a comb therebetween with a portion of the teeth exposed between said arms, and a pivotal brush holder adapted to be slidably mounted on said main frame structure between said spaced arms carrying a series of bristles adapted to pass through the teeth of the comb when the holder is oscillated about its pivotal axis.

8. A comb cleaning device of the character described comprising a main frame structure of U-shape having a smaller secondary frame structure of U-shape mounted thereon with their out wardly projecting arms extending in the same direction and in alignment, said secondary frame structure being connected to the main structure intermediate the ends of their projecting arms, said secondary frame structure being off-set upwardly and away from said main frame structure to provide a slot between said frame structures for receiving a comb therebetween with a portion of the teeth exposed between said projecting arms of said structures, gripping means provided along the base of said secondary frame structure for manually urging the same toward said main frame structure for clampingly securing the comb within said slot between said frame structures, and a pivotally mounted brush holder secured to the outer ends of said projecting arms of said main frame structure carrying a series of bristles adapted to pass through the teeth of said comb when the holder is oscillated about its pivotal axis between the outwardly projecting arms of said main frame structure.

9. A comb cleaning device of the character scribed comprising a main frame structure having an elongated aperture therethrough, a secondary frame structure having a corresponding aperture therethrough adapted to be aligned with the aperture of the main frame structure, means for slidably connecting said frame structures together intermediate the ends of the main frame structure to permit relative movement therebetween, means mounted on one of said frame structures for engaging said first mentioned means to releasably secure said frame structures in various fixed positions, said frame structures being interspaced adjacent one end to provide a slot for receiving a comb with a portion of its teeth exposed within said aligned apertures, and a pivotally mounted brush holder carrying a series of bristles adapted to pass through the teeth of the comb when the holder is oscillated about its pivotal support.

10. A comb cleaning device of the character described comprising a main frame structure having an elongated aperture therethrough and provided with a series of means along opposite sides and adjacent one end of said aperture for engaging a brush holder to be slidably mounted thereover, a secondary frame structure having a corresponding aperture therethrough which is interconnected at one end to said main frame structure adjacent said elongated aperture, said secondary frame structure having its opposite end off-set outwardly and away from said main frame structure to provide a slot for receiving a comb between said frame structures, and a slidably mounted pivotal brush holder carrying a series of bristles adapted to pass through the teeth of the comb when the holder is oscillated about its pivotal axis supported by said main frame structure, said brush mounting having means for engaging the series of means on said main frame structure for releasably locking said brush holder in various positions on said main frame structure relative to said secondary frame member.

WALTER C. CRAWFORD. 

